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As we reach the halfway mark in our NFL Draft profiles, we take a look at the 2013 Biletnikoff Award winner (nation’s best receiver), Brandin Cooks.

The consensus All-American made 226 career receptions at Oregon State for an average gain of 14.5 yards. Cooks has been blessed with incredible speed, but that’s not all he has to offer. He was as dynamic a playmaker as there was in college football last year and his game translates to the NFL, especially today’s NFL.

Cooks should be available when the Ravens make the 17th selection in the first round. But will the Ravens take him? Free safety and right tackle are higher priorities, but there’s only one player at those positions (Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Zack Martin) the Ravens should consider in the first round.

If Cooks is on the board when Baltimore is on the clock, what will Ozzie do?

Pros: There’s zero debate about Cooks’ speed. You don’t have to qualify it. He flat out flies. He’s a game-breaker. If a defender breaks down in front of him, Cooks has incredible foot quickness to change direction. He shows good extension when receiving the ball and is a hands catcher, meaning he doesn’t need to trap the ball against his pads. Although he’s only 5’10”, Cooks knows how and when to high-point the ball. He does well to defeat press coverage and can lose defensive backs in a hurry. He’s determined to succeed.

Cons: Cooks will occasionally backtrack and make too many lateral shifts, giving up valuable field position. He doesn’t break as many tackles as you’d like. Sometimes he will stutter step too much and will lose the momentum of the play. His run blocking leaves a lot to be desired.

Why the Ravens would select him: The Ravens have good wide receivers, but they don’t have a player like Cooks. His play is reminiscent of both Steve Smith and Dante Hall. Cooks would bring shiftiness and versatility to the Ravens offense. Gary Kubiak could use Cooks in five wide receiver sets on middle screens or under/drag routes, and Cooks would eat up the space vacated by Torrey Smith, Steve Smith and others.

Any struggles he has aren’t for a lack of effort, which in a way is good, because it shows he can be coached. Though he would be a first round pick, there’s nothing to suggest Cooks would feel entitled and wouldn’t work hard to earn playing time. Furthermore, if the Ravens’ running game struggles again this year, Cooks could be an extension of the running game through quick, short routes and running after the catch.

Projected position with the Ravens: “Z” receiver (or flanker). Lining Cooks up off of the line of scrimmage (and putting him in motion) would enable to the Ravens to create multiple mismatches in their favor.

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About Mike Fast

Mike was born and raised in Baltimore. But after a year at York College of Pennsylvania, transferred to Towson University. At York he hosted various radio shows and wrote for The Spartan (the school's newspaper). In 2005, he spoke on a panel at the 2005 IBS conference in Manhattan regarding college game day presentation. At Towson, Mike was a public address announcer for multiple sports and majored in Mass Communication, with a focus in sports broadcasting. From 2012-13, he's covered Ravens training camp, and since 2012, he's been the social media coordinator for Johns Hopkins during their home men's lacrosse games. Mike got live a life-long dream when he attended Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans and witness the Ravens become world champions! If you choose to do so, follow Mike Fast on twitter: @MikeFastNFL More from Mike Fast

Lombardi’s Way - A column from the 24×7 founder that focuses on the Ravens, the NFL, Baltimore, the world of sports or life’s inspirations.

Word on The Street - In the spirit of the CBS Sports Minute with Boomer Esiason, RSR brings you Word on The Street, a 90 second (or less) podcast on topics exclusively relating to the Baltimore Ravens.

Ravens Links - We’ll give you the best stories about the Ravens from around the web three times per week.

Fanimal - If you are an animal about the Baltimore Ravens, then you are a Fanimal! Follow the Russell Street Report blog Fanimal Crackers!

The Edgar Awards - The Edgar Awards will range from the Maryland county that is home to the best Ravens fans to the best Ravens podcast; from the best collection of displaced fans to the best local craft brews that should be part of your next tailgating party.

The Road to RSR - Our writers explains their journeys as fans and how they came to write for our little corner of sports media.